Defenestrate The Masses
All In All
They all came to see him, as a pilgrimage to the fallen hero. There were those who brought food and some brought tokens, while some brought charms. Until the fall of the hero the citizens had failed to notice how much of a symbol he had become. Love poured from every corner of the world, all for Edward River and the Rook. The two had done more for the people than the people had gumption to do for themselves. But that changed quickly.
As inspiration, tiny acts of rebellion sprouted amongst the weeds of the fallow ground, each person becoming a piece of the Rook themselves. The compunction to act seemed to come from an invisible push, as though throughout the world, a little of the black smoke, the semblance of the Rook, spread its tendrils to every corner. Some stopped crimes they would otherwise have avoided, some stopped attacks where usually they would seek the other side of the road. The world was changing, and all because of the inspiration presented to them by the Rook. The legacy of Conrad Miller was in effect.
So his plans had worked, his ideals pushed forward, his conclusion and gift to the world complete. The citizens fought for themselves, healing themselves, protecting themselves. Now the governors ran scared, knowing their halcyon days had gone, lost to the rise of the people. Even still, it wasn’t all over. There was still the near dead Edward River, watched over by the people of the Wedge. Jude Ennis sat by his bed as often as he could, the needs of the people still in desperation, his work never done. The Mother of Hope, the child who died so Edward could see his potential, was always by him, repaying him with kindness ten times over, mopping his brow and simply being there.
Edward would talk in his fevered state. He would recount the verses of the Volumes, sometimes in part, sometimes as a whole. He would speak the words of Conrad Miller, an ever present spirit within him. He would cry sometimes, just for the loss of the Builder’s knowledge. All was written down, no matter how inconsequential it sounded. One of those long lonely nights, Jude Ennis took a rare night from scavenging to tend to his friend also. He began muttering the verses again.
“I only wish I knew what he was trying to say? It’s like his whole brain is turned over to these words, like they hold a key to his recovery, or something?” said Jude, openly to the room, but there was only him and Hope’s Mother present.
“He says them often. It’s strange, in some way. They sound like the words Hope used to speak in her sleep too, when she became restless and in a nightmare. It comforts me, in a way, Jude, to hear those words again? It reminds me of my beautiful girl.”
“Really?” asked Jude, “Interesting they both spoke the same words. What do they mean?”
“I’m not sure, but Hope used to speak of wandering through the Pyramid in her dreams - not as it is now, but as it would have been if the Builders still remained.”
“Wow. She had a wonderful imagination, that girl.”
“That she did, Jude. The way she told it she would rise through the Pyramid, right to the top room, look out over the City as the Builders had seen it. I told her to hold onto the memories, as they would keep her comforted in the long nights. Imagination, I told her, is the freedom we all deserve; the world we all possess. Hold onto it, forever – “ Hope’s Mother paused, holding back the tears that wanted to come. Before Jude could speak, another voice rose, if croaked.
“And you did her great service by it. For it was because she believed in me that I grew in strength, an act which could only come from an active mind and the imagination it preserved.”
“Edward! You’re awake!” jumped up Jude.
“So it would seem. What happened?”
“The Rook brought you in and we looked after you. The citizens of the City, as many as could fit, came to see you also. You inspired a population, Edward. You inspired a movement.” explained Jude Ennis.
“So it has become as Conrad intended.” Edward choked back a tear for his only Father, his creator. Now Edward could see what Conrad meant, why he had to die. So that this day would arrive.
“And I tell you, the words that you spoke while asleep? Verses, words of poetry and complication? All about the Pyramid, it would seem.” said Jude.
Edward rose up on his elbows, a movement that brought much pain, which he winced back, “What?”
Hope’s Mother recounted the words she had said to Jude Ennis, about Hope’s dreams and the things she saw within.
“So Conrad had it right. The answer wasn’t in the books. It was within the people. People like Hope!” Edward pulled himself out of bed and hugged the much surprised Mother of Hope. Edward shook off the groggy feeling, beginning to dress, to the protestations of those present.
“Edward! You need to rest! What are you doing?” said Jude, rising to try and block Edward’s egress.
“What I was made to do, my friend.” explained Edward as he rushed down the stairs and out into the world.
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